Why Should You Go on a Tokyo Trip?
Tokyo is a city unlike any other, offering a seamless blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. From the tranquil temples and cherry blossom-filled parks to the neon-lit streets of bustling neighborhoods, Tokyo is a sensory feast. It’s a place where you can experience world-class cuisine, iconic landmarks, and some of the most innovative technology and fashion on the planet.
A Tokyo trip is not just about sightseeing—it’s about experiencing a unique culture. Whether it’s enjoying the seasonal flavors of authentic sushi, exploring historic sites like the Senso-ji Temple, or shopping in trendy districts like Harajuku, Tokyo will captivate and inspire travelers of all backgrounds.
It’s a destination that leaves a lasting impression and beckons for return visits. And if you’re a couple traveling together, make sure to visit Kyoto as well – we know you’ll love it.
Quick Reference Guide
- Best Times to Visit: Spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms, Fall (September-November) for autumn colors
- Currency: Japanese Yen (¥) – Recommended amount: ¥5,000-10,000/day
- Transportation: Get a Suica/Pasmo card (¥2,000 initial charge + ¥500 deposit)
- Weather: Check seasonal packing list below
- Emergency Numbers: Police (110), Ambulance/Fire (119)
- Tourist Information: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Hotline: 0570-011-039
Pre-Trip Essentials
Essential Apps to Download
- Google Maps (offline Tokyo maps)
- Google Translate (download Japanese offline)
- Hyperdia (train schedules)
- Tokyo Metro App
- Weather App
- LINE (popular messaging app)
Pre-Trip Checklist
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Flight bookings
- Accommodation reservations
- Travel insurance
- Japan Rail Pass (if traveling beyond Tokyo)
- Portable Wi-Fi/SIM card reservation
- Basic Japanese phrases learned
- Emergency contact information
- Credit card travel notifications
- Vaccination records (if required)
Seasonal Packing Lists
Spring (March-May)
- Light jacket
- Rain gear (umbrella/light raincoat)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers for temperature changes
- Allergy medication (for cedar pollen)
Summer (June-August)
- Light, breathable clothing
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- Portable fan
- Quick-dry clothing
- Insect repellent
Fall (September-November)
- Light to medium jacket
- Layers for temperature changes
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light scarf
- Rain gear
Winter (December-February)
- Warm coat
- Thermal underlayers
- Gloves, scarf, and hat
- Warm, waterproof shoes
- Lip balm and moisturizer
The 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary
Day 1: Western Tokyo – Modern Culture & Spirituality
Morning: Shinjuku (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 1 hour
- Tip: Go early to avoid crowds
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Cost: ¥500
- Time needed: 1.5 hours
- Best photo spot: Traditional Japanese garden area
Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM) Recommended spots:
- Fuunji (つけ麺 風雲児) for tsukemen
- Price range: ¥800-1,200
- Address: 2-14-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya City
- Tsunahachi (てんぷら築地) for tempura
- Price range: ¥1,500-3,000
- Address: 3-31-8 Shinjuku
Afternoon: Meiji Shrine & Harajuku (1:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
- Meiji Shrine
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 1.5 hours
- Etiquette: Bow at torii gates, maintain silence
- Takeshita Street
- Best time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Must-try: Marion Crepes (¥500-800)
- Shopping budget: ¥5,000-10,000 recommended
Evening: Shibuya (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Shibuya Crossing
- Best photo spot: Starbucks 2F window
- Best viewing time: Sunset (varies by season)
- Shibuya Sky
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:45 PM
- Cost: ¥2,000
- Last entry: 10:00 PM
- Tip: Book sunset time slot in advance
Dinner Options
- Ichiran Ramen
- Price: ¥1,000-1,500
- Hours: 24/7
- Tip: English ordering machines available
- Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka
- Price: ¥100-500 per plate
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Tip: Great for sushi beginners
Day 2: Cultural Tokyo – Ueno, Asakusa & Skytree
Morning: Ueno (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Ueno Park
- Hours: Always open
- Cost: Free
- Best time: Early morning to avoid crowds
- Photo spots: Shinobazu Pond, cherry blossom areas (spring)
- Tokyo National Museum
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays)
- Cost: ¥1,000
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Tip: Free English audio guides available
- Must-see: Samurai swords collection, Japanese pottery
Lunch Options near Ueno (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
- Ameyoko Shopping Street
- Masaru (まさる) for sushi
- Price: ¥1,000-2,000
- Specialty: Fresh nigiri sets
- Okonomiyaki Nagataya
- Price: ¥800-1,500
- Tip: Watch your food being cooked at the counter
- Masaru (まさる) for sushi
Afternoon: Asakusa (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Senso-ji Temple
- Hours: Main grounds always open (temple 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
- Cultural note: Follow temple etiquette guide
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Best times: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Must-try snacks:
- Ningyo-yaki (¥600 for 5)
- Fresh senbei crackers (¥500)
- Melon pan (¥200)
- Shopping budget: ¥3,000-5,000 recommended
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
- Free observation deck
- Best time: 1 hour before sunset
- Photo tip: Great views of Senso-ji and Skytree
Evening: Tokyo Skytree (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Skytree Observation Decks
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Cost:
- Floor 350: ¥2,060
- Floor 450: Additional ¥1,030
- Fast track: Available for international tourists
- Best timing: 1 hour before sunset
- Tokyo Solamachi (Shopping Mall)
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Highlights: Pokemon Center, Studio Ghibli Store
- Foodcourt: Level 6 & 7
Dinner Recommendations
- Waentei-Kikko (Traditional Japanese)
- Price: ¥5,000-8,000
- Reservation: Recommended
- Specialty: Kaiseki course meals
- Hoppy Street
- Budget: ¥2,000-4,000
- Atmosphere: Local izakaya experience
- Must-try: Motsuni (stewed offal) and hoppy drink
Day 3: Luxury & Electronics – Ginza, Imperial Palace & Akihabara
Morning: Imperial Palace (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed Mondays & Fridays)
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 2 hours
- Guided tours: Book in advance through Imperial Household Agency
- Photo spots:
- Nijubashi Bridge
- Edo Castle ruins
- Traditional Japanese gardens
Lunch in Ginza (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
- High-end options:
- Sushi Aoki
- Price: ¥5,000-10,000 lunch sets
- Reservation: Required
- Nabezo Premium
- Price: ¥2,000-4,000 lunch sets
- Specialty: All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu
- Sushi Aoki
Afternoon: Ginza (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Ginza Six
- Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
- Highlights: Rooftop garden, art installations
- Traditional Department Stores
- Mitsukoshi (oldest in Japan)
- Matsuya Ginza
- Tip: Visit basement food floors (depachika)
- Kabukiza Theatre
- Single act tickets: ¥1,000-2,000
- Time needed: 1 act ≈ 1 hour
- English audio guide: Available
Evening: Akihabara (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Electronics Shopping
- Yodobashi Camera
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tax-free: Available
- BicCamera
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Yodobashi Camera
- Anime & Manga
- Animate
- Mandarake
- Shopping budget: ¥5,000-15,000
- Gaming Centers
- Sega Arcade
- Taito Station
- Budget: ¥1,000-2,000 for gaming
Dinner Options in Akihabara
- Gundam Cafe
- Price: ¥1,000-2,000
- Theme: Anime-inspired dishes
- Maid Cafe Experience
- Price: ¥2,000-4,000
- Time limit: Usually 1 hour
- Photo options: Available for extra fee
Day 4: Modern Art & Entertainment in Tokyo – Tsukiji, Odaiba & teamLab
Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Best time: Before 10:00 AM
- Must-try foods:
- Fresh sushi breakfast (¥2,000-4,000)
- Tamago-yaki (¥200)
- Tuna bowls (¥1,000-2,000)
- Recommended shops:
- Sushi Dai
- Tsukiji Yamachō
- Food tour options: ¥10,000-15,000
Transit to Odaiba (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Yurikamome Line
- Cost: ¥320
- Time: 15 minutes
- Tip: Sit at the front for best views
Afternoon: Odaiba (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Gundam Base
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Photo timing: Gundam shows at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00
- Joypolis
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Cost: ¥4,500 (all-day pass)
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Highlights:
- Pokemon Center
- Hello Kitty Japan
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Optional)
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 AM next day
- Cost: ¥2,720
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
Evening: teamLab Planets (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Hours: Varies by season
- Cost: ¥3,200
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Tips:
- Book in advance
- Wear shorts (you’ll wade through water)
- Bring spare socks
- Photo spots: All installations are photo-friendly
Dinner at Decks Tokyo Beach
- Bills Odaiba
- Price: ¥2,000-4,000
- View: Rainbow Bridge
- Takoyaki Museum
- Price: ¥500-1,000
- Experience: Various regional styles
Day 5: Day Trip Options
Option 1: Hakone
- Access:
- Romancecar from Shinjuku (¥2,330)
- 85 minutes
- Hakone Free Pass: ¥5,700
- Includes round-trip transport and local transportation
- Highlights:
- Hakone Tozan Railway (mountain railway)
- Hakone Shrine
- Lake Ashi cruise
- Mount Fuji views (weather permitting)
- Open Air Museum
- Onsen options:
- Tenzan Tohji-kyo: ¥1,500
- Yunessun: ¥2,800
- Time needed: Full day (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
Option 2: Kamakura
- Access:
- JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station
- 55 minutes (¥1,000)
- Highlights:
- Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)
- Cost: ¥200
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Hase-dera Temple
- Cost: ¥300
- Best feature: Garden and sea views
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 1 hour
- Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)
- Food recommendations:
- Shirasu-don (whitebait bowl)
- Local soba restaurants
- Time needed: Full day (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Option 3: Nikko
- Time needed: Full day (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
- Access:
- Limited Express from Asakusa (2 hours)
- Nikko Pass: ¥4,520
- Highlights:
- Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO site)
- Cost: ¥1,300
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Rinnoji Temple
- Shinkyo Bridge
- Lake Chuzenji (seasonal)
- Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO site)
- Best season: Autumn for fall colors
How to Prepare for Your Tokyo Trip
Preparing for your Tokyo trip begins with research and planning. Ensure you have a valid passport and check if a visa is required for your stay. Book accommodations in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak seasons like spring or fall.
Packing is essential—comfortable walking shoes are a must as you’ll be exploring on foot. Don’t forget an international power adapter and a pocket Wi-Fi device or SIM card for navigation. Download useful apps like Google Translate and Hyperdia to make your trip smoother.
Things to Remember When Going to Tokyo
While Tokyo is a modern metropolis, it’s steeped in cultural etiquette. Remember to queue politely, speak softly in public spaces, and remove your shoes when entering certain establishments. Carry cash, as some smaller shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards.
Getting around is easy thanks to Tokyo’s efficient public transportation system. Invest in a Suica or Pasmo card for hassle-free travel. Lastly, always have an itinerary but stay open to unexpected adventures—Tokyo has a way of surprising you at every turn.
The Beauty of Tokyo
Tokyo’s beauty lies in its contrasts. It’s a city where traditional wooden shrines stand alongside soaring skyscrapers. Cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn foliage add seasonal charm to the city’s parks and streets.
From the neon lights of Shinjuku to the tranquility of Meiji Shrine, every corner of Tokyo tells a story. The city’s vibrancy, diversity, and warmth make it one of the most beautiful and captivating places in the world.
Cultural Tips & Etiquette that are Important in Tokyo
General Etiquette
- Remove shoes when indicated (homes, ryokan, some restaurants)
- No tipping (can be considered rude)
- Stand on left side of escalators (right in Osaka)
- No eating while walking
- No loud phone conversations on trains
- Bow slightly when greeting or thanking
Temple/Shrine Etiquette
- Torii Gates:
- Bow before passing through
- Walk slightly to side (center is for deities)
- Purification Fountain:
- Left hand: Rinse left hand
- Right hand: Rinse right hand
- Left hand again: Pour water into left hand to rinse mouth
- Left hand one final time: Rinse handle
- Photography:
- Always check for no-photo signs
- No photos during ceremonies
- No flash photography inside buildings
Essential Japanese Phrases
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
- ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you
- すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me/Sorry
- トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the bathroom?
- 英語のメニューはありますか？ (Eigo no menu wa arimasu ka?) – Do you have an English menu?
Budget Breakdown for your Tokyo Trip
Daily Expenses (Average)
Budget Travel (¥8,000-12,000/day)
- Accommodation: Capsule hotel/hostel (¥3,000-4,000)
- Food: Convenience stores, food courts (¥3,000)
- Transportation: Metro day pass (¥800)
- Activities: Free to low-cost attractions
- Shopping/Extras: ¥2,000
Mid-Range (¥15,000-25,000/day)
- Accommodation: Business hotel (¥8,000-12,000)
- Food: Mix of casual and mid-range restaurants (¥5,000)
- Transportation: Metro/taxi combination (¥2,000)
- Activities: Paid attractions and experiences
- Shopping/Extras: ¥5,000
Luxury (¥30,000+/day)
- Accommodation: 4-5 star hotel (¥20,000+)
- Food: High-end restaurants, sushi bars (¥10,000+)
- Transportation: Taxi/private car (¥5,000)
- Activities: Private guides, exclusive experiences
- Shopping/Extras: ¥10,000+
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Tokyo
- Not booking popular restaurants in advance
- Trying to do too much in one day
- Missing last train (very expensive taxi rides)
- Not carrying cash
- Wearing inappropriate shoes for walking
- Not checking weather forecasts
- Forgetting about luggage size on trains
- Not checking closing days of attractions
Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarian/Vegan
- Useful phrases:
- ベジタリアンです (Bejitarian desu) – I’m vegetarian
- 肉なし (Niku nashi) – No meat
- Recommended restaurants:
- T’s TanTan (Tokyo Station)
- Ain Soph (Multiple locations)
- Tips:
- Look for Buddhist temples serving shojin ryori
- Download Happy Cow app
Halal
- Certified restaurants:
- Naritaya Halal Ramen
- Sumiyakiya Halal Yakiniku
- Resources:
- Halal Gourmet Japan website
- Japan Halal Foundation certification
Emergency Information
Medical Resources
- Japan Healthcare Info: 03-5285-8088
- English-Speaking Clinics:
- St. Luke’s International Hospital
- Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic
- 24/7 Pharmacies locations
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 110
- Ambulance/Fire: 119
- Tourist Information: 03-3201-3331
- Embassy contacts (varies by country)
We hope this comprehensive guide helps you navigate Tokyo with confidence! Remember, Tokyo is a city best experienced by balancing planned activities with spontaneous exploration. And if you’re thinking of visiting Paris next, we’ve got the perfect 3-day itinerary for you!
Safe travels! Vick & Ellie
